Easy Ways to Maintain a Gray Beard

Having a full, luscious beard is all fun and games till it’s been a few years and it begins to morph from its beautiful natural color into a dull, gray color. But this is not something to let yourself fret over because with the right guidance you can rock a gray beard.

A gray can be maintained in several different ways ranging from washing it, grooming it, and using the right beard care products to brushing it a styling it properly. You can slow down the process by avoiding stress, smoking, sun exposure, and taking supplements.

In this article, we will show you exactly how you can maintain your gray beard and even tips on how to slow down the process of graying! 

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Why Beard Hair Turn Gray

Before we get into the measures you can take to maintain a gray beard, it is first vital to know why it turns gray so that you can understand this phenomenon a little better.

Genetic Code

The main reason your beard is changing its color is because of genetics. Everyone is born with a genetic code that decides different aspects of their hair such as its color, diameter, thickness, etc.

These said genes also decide when the graying process of your hair will begin. After a certain number of years have passed by, your genes will tell your body to stop the production of melanin in your hair follicles.

Melanin is a pigment that gives color to our skin and hair. When the production of this pigment is put to pause, the color that it produces also stops appearing on our hair, and hence, the lack of melanin turns your hair to a gray color.

Since this is genetic, that means it is inherited. A good look at your father’s and grandfather’s hair will give you an answer about approximately when you will face this phenomenon yourself. If their hair turned gray early in life then chances are yours will too.

Bleach

Scientific research done recently shows that some men’s beard hair follicles produce a high amount of hydrogen peroxide, a substance that removes pigment from your hair. The exact reason behind the production of this excessive amount of hydrogen peroxide is unknown as of right now but it is believed to be due to stress, and diet.

So if you incorporate healthy food in your diet and avoid stress then you might slow down the process of your beard turning gray momentarily.

Ways to Maintain a Gray Beard

Now that you know that your hair turning gray is not your fault in any way and is purely natural, here are ways you can maintain it.

Groom Your Beard

This goes without saying, but make sure you groom your beard and have a proper beard care routine designed to cater to your hair type consisting of products that best suit you. Grooming has one too many steps in it so make sure you are aware of all of them and never miss out on any of these.

Wash It

We cannot stress this enough, but wash your beard regularly with warm water and use a beard wash on alternative days. The reason we say not to use a beard wash every day is to avoid stripping the hair from any natural oils that are beneficial for it.

Moisturize  

A smart choice would be to buy a beard moisturizer so that your hair fibers and skin are hydrated and do not become vulnerable to any dryness and itchiness. This can also tame strays and flyways as well as fight dandruff and brittleness.

Proper Products

We have mentioned a beard wash and moisturizer but those are not enough. You need to get your hands on beard oil and balm.

Beard oils help coat and lubricate your hair follicles to protect them from any environmental factors such as dust. It gives your hair a glow and makes it easier to brush and tame any wild, stubborn hair.

Bread balms on the other hand are the finishing touch required in the whole process of nourishment. It also makes sure all hair stays in place and does not go in any unwanted direction.

Brush It

The key to having a tamed, neat beard is to brush it consistently with a good quality brush, preferably a boar bristle beard brush. A rich-in-color beard can also look bad if it is not neat and clean, hence make sure to brush those bad boys every day!

Beard Style

Go for a beard style that you know will suit your face shape as well as this new gray beard. A shorter beard might suit you more and present you with a cleaner look but a long beard can also work as long as you are dedicated to maintaining it consistently.

How to Slow Down the Graying Process

If you are not yet ready to fully embrace the gray beard look then there are some ways you can slow the process down but beware, the result will always remain the same because it is inevitable!

Reduce Stress

We know some people just can’t help but stress and worry about situations that life consistently throws at them. But it is to be noted that excessive stress can speed up the process of your bear turning gray.

The result of stress is the production of specific hormones and this sudden increase in hormone production can cause an overabundance which can lead to your melanocyte cells depleting. This depletion prevents any pigment from growing in your beard.  

Avoiding stress can be a hard task, what you can do instead is find activities and hobbies that make you feel calm and relaxed. Doing this can balance out any stress you may be feeling.

Avoid Smoking and Toxins

A study was done recently proved that smoking speeds up the process of graying hair. Smokers are 4 times more likely than non-smokers to grow gray hair faster. Toxins, that are found in vapes, should also be avoided

Include Supplements in Your Diet

Nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, in terms of health, are really good for you. Another reason they should be added to your diet as soon as possible is that they prevent early graying and slow down the whole process.

Copper and B12 are especially effective when it comes down to slowing down the graying of hair. And not only that but taking these supplements will also make your skin and nails look amazing so why wait to add these to your routine?   

Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure

The sun can play a role in changing the shades of your hair and that is because of the ultraviolet (UV) rays it emits. These rays can oxidize stress on your hair follicles and melanocytes so it is better to avoid overexposure to the sun.

Also, try not to use any tools that provide heat to your hair such as a beard straightener. These can make your hair dry and brittle leading to excessive hair fall which means a shorter hair growth cycle, and that can exhaust the number of melanocytes you have.

Solutions for Gray Hair

This is a phenomenon that each individual has to go through whether it is a woman with graying hair or a man with a graying beard.

It can not be reversed or avoided at any cost but there are some solutions for you if you desperately want to get rid of gray hair.

Beard Dye

Using beard dye can cover up your gray hair temporarily and you can choose any color your desire whether it is red or black. You can either dye it yourself or seek out a professional.

Make sure you search for the after effects of dye because it can make your hair extremely dry and brittle. The chemicals used are not good for your hair fibers in long term.

Hair Fibers

Thanks to technology, we have an innovation known as hair fibers. These are statically charged fibers that have a magnetic effect causing them to effortlessly cling to even the tiniest of hair.

They create a natural look but the downside is that it lasts only until it does not come in contact with any water.

Shave

if you are someone who can rock both, a beard and a clean shave then what are you waiting for? Just shave and get rid of any traces of gray hair instantly.

Conclusion

Your facial hair turning gray is not a bad thing at all it is a natural process that eventually everyone goes through so you do not need to beat yourself up over it.

Just follow our steps to maintain a proper gray beard and if you want to slow it down then just avoid the things we mentioned.

If urgency calls, beard dye is always an option. We hope this guide answered your questions about why beards turn gray, how to maintain them, and the steps to take to avoid them!